Rotary desk top card file



Jan. 25, 1966 w. E. DULsKl VROTARY DESK TOP CARD FILE Filed sept. 1o, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NAL -Iilililzlilu55:55.25; .n

INVENTOR. I Walter E'. puls/u Jan. 25, 1966 w. E. DULsKl 3,231,096

ROTARY DESK TOP CARD FILE Filed Sept. lO, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 rn vr INVENTOR. l Wan/6W5. DuZS/L Jan. 25, 1966 w. E. DULsKl ROTARY DESK TOP CARD FILE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. l0, 1964 BY @au gw United States Patent O 3,231,096 ROTARY DESK TOP CARD FILE Walter E. Dulski, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Acme Visible Records, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 10, 196e, Ser. No. 395,408 3 Claims. (Cl. 211-11) This invention relates in general to a rotary file, and more specifically to a compact desk top type rotary card file providing for immediate visibility and accessibility to at least 50% of the filing information housed therein.

Heretofore, many efforts have been made to produce a satisfactory, all purpose, desk top, rotary card file in which the information stored therein was rendered readily accessible, and visible at all times. Chieiy among the disadvantages of the known desk top rotary card les is that the inherent construction thereof seriously limits the number of cards that can be iiled or stored therein. Also, only a very limited number of the cards iiled or stored in the known rotary iiles are rendered accessible or visible at any one time. For this reason, it was necessary to effect rotation of the card le each time information was required to be gathered from a given iile stored therein even though the desired card may be closely positioned to that card disposed in the accessible or visible position. As a result, considerable time was lost in seeking information from the various cards stored therein, even though they were located closely adjacent to one another. Also, in the known card type rotary tiles, it was necessary to permanently secure the cards in the place within the le. For this reason, the changing, removing or replacing of card files as frequently occur in business resulted in a tedious, time consuming and labor Wasting task. Also, many of the known rotary card les are relatively complex in structure, difficult to construct and assemble, and relatively expensive.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary card le adapted for desk top use and which is capable of holding a relatively large number of cards orviile material.

Another object is to provide an open desk type rotary iile in which immediate visibility and access can be had to at least 50% of the material stored or contained therein without effecting rotation thereof.

Another object is to provide a relatively simply constructed desk top rotary card file that is light in weight, sturdy in construction and durable in use.

Still another object is to provide a desk top rotary card file having a number of trays adapted for loosely containing therein a relatively large number of card tiles or file material and in which the trays extend beyond the front of the housing for easy accessibility.

Still another object is to provide for a free wheeling rotary desk top card file with means for resisting the counter rotation thereof or rotation due to gravity.

Still another object is to provide a relatively inexpensive motor driven, rotating desk top card file.

Still another object is to provide a rotary card tile for desk top use which occupies a minimum of space, yet capable of holding a maximum number of tile material or file cards therein.

Still another object is to provide an improved rotary card file applicable for desk top use that is inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a rotary desk top card tile comprising a pair of opposed side walls to deiine an open end housing. A rotary means including a pair of spaced apart drum discs, larranged to carry a plurality of card holding trays pivotally journalled therebetween, is rotatably journalled between the side Walls of the housing.

3,231,096 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 ICC Means are provided for swivelly connecting the trays relative tothe drum disc so that the trays are positively maintained in an upright position throughout the entire rotation of the drum discs. The latter means comprise essentially of a control ring rotatably mounted on the side wall of a housing and arranged to rotate about an axis eccentrica'lly disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum discs and of card trays carried thereon. A link or crank arm connects one pivot of the respective trays to the control ring to insure positive maintenance of the trays in the upright position throughout the rotation of the drum discs. The arrangement is such that the respective drum discs may be rotated in either direction to positively position the respective trays carried thereon in a readily accessible position.

In one form of the invention, a resilient means is provided to resist the rotation of the drum discs and the card trays carried thereon so as to prohibit counter rotation of the drum disc or rotation of the drum disc due to gravity.

In another form of the invention, a motor drive means is provided to advance each of the respective tray means to its respective accessible position.

A feature of this invention resides in the details of construction which permits the respective component parts of the rotary desk top file of the instant invention to be readily manufactured and assembled with a minimum of eiort and in a minimum of time.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the utilization of a spring means for exerting a bias against the rotary discs of the card iile so las to resist counterrotation or rotation due to gravity.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein the respective trays are constructed and arranged to loosely retain a relatively large number of card files or tile material in a manner that permits the card files to be rendered readily visible and accessible to the user.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that in the 'motor driven embodiment thereof, the -motor drive is in direct connection with the driving shaft of the rotary means.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein the respective card file lcan be made to any desired width without elfecting material alteration to the respective components parts thereof. Thus a maximum of standardization of lcomponent parts can be attained for various sized units,

Other features and advantages will 'become more readily apparent when considered in View of the specication and drawings in which,

FIGURE l is a sectional side elevation view of the rotary card iile of the instant invention taken along line 1 1 of FIG. 2.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the rotary card ile of the instant invention taken along line 2 2 of EFIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a detail sectional side view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation View of a construction detail taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

IGURE 6 illustrates a modified form of the invention an FIGURE 7 illustrates still another modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown various embodiments of a rotary desk top card file embodying the lconcept of the instant invention In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 the rotary desk top card file 1t) comprises a pair of substantially similarly constructed walls members 11 and 12 formed of suitable Ii sheet material, as for example, metal or plastic or the like which are maintained in spaced apart relationship by a pair of front and rear connecting member. As best seen in FIGS. l and 2, the respective side -wall members '11 and 12 -are similar in construction 'but opposite in hand. Each side wall 11 and 12 is deiined by a panel Vwhich tapers upwardly and inwardly having inturned iianges 11A, 12A circums-cribing the peripheral portions thereof. Accordingly, the Width of the base portion of the respective sidewall panels 11 and 12 is greater than that of the top portion thereof.

The transverse connecting members 13, 14 comprise angles having connected vertical and horizontal extending leg portions Iwhich define a lower front and rear corner portions, respectively, of the housing. As shown, the respective angles '13,v14-exten'd transversely between the side walls .-11 and 12, and are arranged to be received within the respective fianges 11A, 12A thereof. In the illustrated form of the invention one end o-f the respective connecting member 13, 14 is rigidly secured to its adjacent sidewall 11 as by welding, brazing or the like. The other ends of the respective connecting member 13, 14rhave connected .thereto an uprightbracket -15 which underlie opposed side iiange 12A of the other side wall 12 toprovide additional support therefor and to provide the means whereby the side wall 12 may be detachably secured thereto. Suitable fasteners 16 su'ch as a rivet or bolt and nut are provided to secure the side Wall to each of the respective brackets 15. While the illustrated embodiment has one end of the respective transverse member 13, 14 fixedly secured to the adjacent side wall 11 and the other ends thereof detachably connected to the other side wall 12 by means of suitable fasteners 16, it will be understood that the transverse connecting members may have both itsends either fixed or detachably connected to the adjacent side walls of the housing,

Connected tothe inside surface of the side Wall 11 and 12 is a Z-shaped bracket support 17 and 18. These supports 17, 18 defined the end bearings for the shaft 19 ofthe rotary means hereinafter 'described As shown, the upper leg portions 17A, 18A of the respective Z- shaped brackets are spaced from its adjacent side wall 1l, 12, and `areprovided with aligned openings 17B, 18B in which a suitable bearing 21 is journalled for receiving the end portion of the shaft 19 of a rotary means 2G.

The rota-ry means 2t? comprises a pair of similar, spaced apart supporting or drum discs 22, 23 which are keyed to a shaft 19 of the ends of which are rotatably journalled in the bearings 21 of each of the supporting bracket 17, 1S. As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 19 is substantially rectangular in'cross section lwith the ends or extremities thereof rounded wherein the rounded ends are received within the end Vbearings 21 in supporting bra-ckets 17, 18. As best seen in FIG. 2, one end of the shaft is suiciently long so that when it is inserted through its associated bearing 21, it will'thrust against the side wall 11 of the adjacent housing to locate the rotary means 20 between the side walls. The other end of the shaft is supported in its ibearing 21 in space relationship from the adjacent side wall 12 of the housing. The engagement of one end of the shaft against thel adjacent side Wa-ll 11 thereby limits or positively positions the rotary means 20 between the respective side walls 11 and 12 of the housing.

In accordance fwith this invention, a plurality of trays 24 adapted `to loosely retain therein the card files 25 or other file material, are pivotally connected to and between th'e spaced apart rotary `drum discs. In the illustrated form lof the invention, four such card trays 24 are equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the respective drum discs. However, the number of card trays 24 may be varied as desired.

As best seen in FIG. 2, one of the drum discs 22 is provided with a series of radially extending elongated slots 22A, equidistantly spaced, about a circumferential portion of the drum disc. The other drum disc 23 is provided with a plurality of -oppositely disposed corresponding apertures 27 of circular cross section. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, thercard Itrays are pivotally connected between the opposed drum dis-c. Generally the trays 24 are defined by a front and rear wall integrally connected to a bottom wa-ll therebetween, and a pair of opposed side walls 24A, 24B suitably connected to the front, rear and bottom Wall 24C connected-therebetween. Thus, an open top box type, tray 24 is provided.

One side wall 24A of the respective trays has a pin 28 and bracket 28a connected thereto define a pivotal support for the tray. Directly opposed thereto, the other side wall 24B is provided with .a punched out aperture 29 adapted to receive a threaded bolt 38 to define the opposed pivotal support for the tray 24. The pivot pin 28 fixed to one side of the respective trays is extended through the elongated slot whereas the other pivotal connection, that is the threaded Vbolt 30 is extended through its respective apertures 27 in disc 23. To provide a bearing for the fix pivot 28 of the respective trays, a bearing lplate 31 is secured to the outer surface of the disc 22, and it is provided with an aperture for receiving the fixed pivot pin 28. A bearing sleeve 32 is interposed in the aperture of plate 31 for receiving the pin 28 of the tray.

The other end of the tray is pivoted by the pivot bolt 38 supported in a bearing 33 disposed in the flare 34 defined by the punch out aperture 29, and a nut 35 threaded onto the bolt 30-to secure it to the drum disc. It will thus be noted that each of the trays 24 is pivotally connected between the spaced drum discs 22, 23 of the rotary means.

In order that the trays be maintained in an upright position throughout the entire revolution or rotation of the drum discs 22, 23, means are provided for positively insuring the upright position of the respective trays 24. In ,accordance with this invention the means comprise a control ring 36 that is rotatably journalled on one of the housing side walls 11. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the supporting means for the control ring 36 cornprises a pair of laterally extending bearing arms 37 connected to supporting bracket 17. Each'of the bearing arms 37 is defined as horizontally disposed Z-shaped member with one leg 37A of the respective members being provided with an elongated slot 38 to provide for lateral adjustment of a roller bearing 39 connected to the outer extremity of the respective arms 37. Thus, the respective oppositely dispose arms and roller bearing 39 carried thereon are rendered readily adjustable as indicated by the slot connection. A threaded bolt 40 and associated nut secures the respective bearing arms 37 in the adjusted position.

As best seen in FIG. l, the control ring 36 comprises an annular member having the inside circumference thereof supported in rolling engagement on the respective rolling bearings 39 carried on the end of each of the bearing arms.

The control ring 36 is provided with four equidistlantly spaced punched out apertures 41 in which the punched out or peripheral portions of the apertures flare inwardly at 41A, as best seen in FIG. 2. By punching out the holes 41, a simple mechanical expedient is provided whereby such rings can be mass produced. Also, as best seen in FIG. E2, the punched out or flared portions 41A of the respective apertures 41 provide a support for retraining therein a bearing 42 for the screw fastener 43 which is adapted to pivotally connect the free end of the respective links or cranks 44 to the control ring 36. It will be noted, as best seen in FIG. 1, that the construction is such that the connecting links or crank arms 44 are fixed to pin 28 and are maintained in an upright position throughout the rotational revolutions of the control ring 36. Also, :as is evident in FIG. 1, the axis of rotation of the control ring 36 is offset downwardly with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum discs '22, 23, al distancev equal to the distance between the center line of the pivots 28, 43 connected to the respective ends of the crank arms 44. With the construction described, it will `be noted that the discs 22, 23 are rendered freely-rotatable about the shaft 19 and the rotation is such that the opened` top of the trays 24 are maintained in an upright position throughout the rotation ofthe drum disc. Thu-s, the cards or cardles 25 whichv are,.lloosely retained in the respective trays will not be upset therefrom as the respective trays 24 are rotated` with the vdiscs 22, 23." `Accordingly, the cards being loosely Iretained within the respective trays can be readily replaced or removed without interferring or affecting-the remaining cards 'carried in the respective trays.;I p 1 A ,g :To resist counter rotation of the drum discs 22, 23 and carrier trays 24 connected therebetween, and to resist thelinuence of gravity acting thereon, a means is provided` for resisting such rotation. As best seen in FIG. 2, this antirotation means comprises a compression Spring-'15k which is interposed about one end of the shaft 19j s'oas to be compressed between the drum disc 23 and the bracket 18 `supporting the shaft 19. Accordingl'y'," the spring 45 exerts abias on the drum that will tend to resist rotation thereof.

.f Accordingly, the respective `iile cards or other tile material are disposedA or supported within the open top tray 24- in |anydesired order,-and` are loosely retained therein. For this reason, 'the `cardiilel is particularly adapted'fr housing addressing plates and stencils, or the like, or for maintaining file information usually kept on a card le system, as for example 3 x 5 cards or the like. Accordingly, the tray 24 may be appropriately sized so as to accommodate any such card. If desired, the trays 24 may be elongated any desired length.

An important feature of this invention further resides in the provision that any suitable size tray may be interspaced between the end walls: of the housing without materially effecting the construction of the card file component parts. -In other words, the many of the components parts'described can be standardized except for the tray length. Therefore, by merely varying the length of the shaft 'about which the respective drum discs are supported .andi positioning the desired length tray therebetween, the Ycard file can be constructed and arranged in any of several sizes with a minimum of structural changes;

In operation, it will be noted that the rotary means are manually rotated to position the desired tray 24 at an accessible position. An important aspect of the instant invention resides in the provision in that when a tray 24 is rotated to an accessible position, access may be had to one or more trays inasmuch as an housing is opened, but for the side walls 11 and 12. Accordingly, visibility to the respective cards 25 supported in each of the trays 24 is afforded. With the arrangement described an operator can readily scan a relatively large number of card les without the necessity of continuously rotating the card file to gather the information desired. Consequently, by minimizing the number of revolutions that an operator is required to make in gathering various ling materials, the amount of time thus saved can be readily appreciated.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the instant invention. In this form of the invention, a motor drive means is provided for effecting rotation of the rotary means. As best seen, the housing 50 of this arrangement includes a pair of spaced apart side walls 51, 52. One of the side walls 51 is similarly constructed to that hereinbefore described. The other side wall 52 is also similar except that a motor housing 53 is connected thereto in which a suitable electric motor is housed. Rotatably supported within `or between the respective side walls of the housing is a rotary means S4 similar to that hereinbefore described. In this form of the invention however, the electric motor within the motor housing 53 has its armature spindle extending inwardly of the adjacent side wall 52 so as to be directly connected to the shaft of the rotary means 54. The arrangement is such that a sleeve coupling is provided to connect the end of the motor spindle directly to the end of the shaft about which the rotary means 54 is journalled. Accordingly, a suitable switch means 55 located on the front of the motor housing 53 and connected in circuit with the motor is provided to control the operation thereof. Thus in order to position any of the respective trays to an accessible position, the operator merely has to press the switch to energize the circuit to the motor and thereby cause the rotary means to be rotated to locate a selected tray at an accessible position. When the tray has reached the desired position, the switch is opened to cease the operation of the motor.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a further modified le construction 60. In this form of the invention the structural details and assembly thereof are identical with that described with reference to the description of FIGS. 1 to 5 with the exception that the width of the respective trays 61 have been extended. Thus with this form of the invention, several'rows 62 of 3" x 5 cards may be stored in side by side relationships in each tray 61. In all other respects the construction of the embodiment of FIG. 7 is similar to that herein described. Y

From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent that either a manual desktop tile or a motor driven desk top file may be readily provided with a minimum of structural changes made therein.

Also, the arrangement is such that each of the respective trays loosely retain therein relatively a large number of card files or filing material that can be readily removed or replaced with a minimum of effort and with a maximum of ease. The respective trays are further pivotally connected or swivelly connected so that they will be maintained in an upright position in any rotated position of the rotary means, and thereby, prohibit any tendency of the trays to tilt or cause filing cards contained therein to become displaced therefrom. Another important feature of the arrangement is that the open end housing provides ready accessibility and visibility of substantially 50% of the card les supported thereon, the construction of desk top file described is such that it can be readily and economically fabricated and assembled with a minimum of effort.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope of the instant invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary card le for desk top use comprising,

(a) a housing,

(b) said housing including a pair of spaced apart side walls and transverse connectors for maintaining said side walls in spaced relationship,

(c) a pair of spaced apart drum discs,

(d) a plurality of card carrying trays including opposed pivot pins connected to and between said spaced drum discs,

(e) a shaft for rotatably journalling said spaced drum disc and connected trays between said side walls whereby any of said trays may be rotated to an accessible position,

(f) means including a control ring and crank arms for swivelly connecting said vtrays relative to said drum disc so that said trays are maintained upright throughout the rotation of said drum disc,

(g) and compression spring disposed about said shaft between one of said discs and the adjacent side Wall of said housing whereby the force of said spring acting on said disc inhibits rotation of said drum disc and connected trays from the accessible position of a given tray,

(h) said control ring being provided with a plurality of punched out holes having outwardly extending flared portions, said ilared portions defining a bearing seat for the pivotalV connection of the respective crank al'IllS.

2. A rotary card file for desk top use comprising,

(a) a pair of spaced apart supporting side walls to define an open end housing,

(b) rotary means including a pair of spaced apart drum discs, said discs having a plurality of axially opposed, circumferentially spaced apertures formed therein about the peripheral margin thereof,

(c) a plurality of circumferentially spaced card carrying trays, each of said trays having opposed pivot pins arranged to extend between the axially opposed apertures of said discs for pivotally connecting said trays therebetween,

(d) a shaft for journalling said drum discs and card trays connected therebetween foi-'free rotation between the side walls of said housing whereby any of said trays may be rotated to an accessiblev position, saidl discs being keyed to said shaft,

(e) means for swivelly connecting saidtrays soy that said trays are maintained upright throughout the rotation of said drum disc, said swivel means including a control ring,

(f) means for rotatably supporting said control ring on one of-saidV side walls whereby said control ring rotates aboutan eccentric center with respect to the rotation of said disc about said shaft,

(g) crank arms connecting one of said pivot pinsof each tray to` said ring so that the respective trays are maintained upright throu'ghoutfthe rotation of said discs and connected trays about said shaft,"

(h) Contact friction means comprising a spring disposed about said shaft between one of said discsand the adjacent side wall to bias said drum disc to inhibit rotation thereof,

(i)` said control ring being provided with a plurality of pushed out holes having. outwardly extending ared portions, said flared portionsdefining a bearing seat for the pivotal connection of the respective crank arms.

3. The invention as defined in clairnZ whereinl each of said crank arms is xedly connected at one end to said one pivot pin and pivotally connected at its other end to said control ring.

References Cited by thellxaminerI UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,562,593 5/1951 Adams 312-186 2,743,982 5/1956 Stingl.4 312-267 2,743,983 5/ 1956 Stingl` 312-26'7 2,853,353 9/1958v Scholeld 31,2-,267 2,881,656 4/1959 Sutter 88-44 r`,3,160,453 12/1964 Tassell S12-238 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

30 I. F. FOSS.Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROTARY CARD FILE FOR DESK TOP USE COMPRISING, (A) A HOUSING, (B) SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED APART SIDE WALLS AND TRANSVERSE CONNECTORS FOR MAINTAINING SAID SIDE WALLS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP, (C) A PAIR OF SPACED APART DRUM DISCS, (D) A PLURALITY OF CARD CARRYING TRAYS INCLUDING OPPOSED PIVOT PINS CONNECTED TO AND BETWEEN SAID SPACED DRUM DISCS, (E) A SHAFT FOR ROTATABLY JOURNALLING SAID SPACED DRUM DISC AND CONNECTED TRAYS BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS WHEREBY ANY OF SAID TRAYS MAY BE ROTATED TO AN ACCESSIBLE POSITION, (F) MEANS INCLUDING A CONTROL RING AND CRANK ARMS FOR SWIVELLY CONNECTING SAID TRAYS RELATIVE TO SAID DRUM DISC SO THAT SAID TRAYS ARE MAINTAINED UPRIGHT THROUGHOUT THE ROTATION OF SAID DRUM DISC, (G) AND COMPRESSION SPRING DISPOSED ABOUT SAID SHAFT BETWEEN ONE OF SAID DISCS AND THE ADJACENT SIDE WALL OF SAID HOUSING WHEREBY THE FORCE OF SAID SPRING ACTING ON SAID DISC INHIBITS ROTATION OF SAID DRUM DISC AND CONNECTED TRAYS FROM THE ACCESSIBLE POSITION OF A GIVEN TRAY, (H) SAID CONTROL BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF PUNCHED OUT HOLES HAVING OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLARED PORTIONS, SAID FLARED PORTIONS DEFINING A BEARING SEAT FOR THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF THE RESPECTIVE CRANK ARMS. 